Being Poor

Being poor is when you can't afford clothes at the op shop

Being poor is when you believe the baked bean can

when it tells you

it will meet all your daily requirements

if taken with an apple

Being poor is when you can't join a book group, go to night class,

fill up on adult ed.

'cause it all costs

Being poor is when all you want is relief to the monotony

to talk to friends for hours

on the phone

'cause it's cheaper

than a bus

Being poor is when you choose between the toilet paper

and the cat food, the power bill

and next week's food

and wash your clothes

in the bath

Being poor makes sleep look sweet

and drugs are the only holiday

you'll ever have

Being poor

is a health hazard.

© Liz Winfield